Science, Humanity are Inseparable with Asilomar, Says Adefolalu
By Salami Adeyinka
In a remarkable fusion of science and art, a Nigerian Biochemist, Adedotun Adefolalu, recently transformed the historic Asilomar DNA conference’s legacy into poetry.
His piece, “Tales from Asilomar: Science, Ethics and Other Blues,” encapsulates 50 years of scientific advancement, ethical contemplation, and lyrical reflection, drawing the attention of attendees at this year’s Spirit of Asilomar and the Future of Biotechnology summit, held at the Asilomar Conference Grounds, Pacific Grove, California, US.
The summit gathered the world’s leading scientists and ethicists to evaluate the trajectory of biotechnology. Surprisingly, poetry emerged as a poignant voice in this critical discussion, thanks to Adefolalu’s evocative contributions.
Supported by the Rice University Synthetic Biology Institute, the Science History Institute and the Redox Biology Centre at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Adefolalu was one of only 50 early-career scholars selected for the prestigious Next Generation Leaders programme.
This cohort commemorated the 50th anniversary of the groundbreaking 1975 Asilomar Conference on Recombinant DNA, which originally addressed the ethical implications and risks associated with genetic engineering.
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Pacific coastline, where the original conference took place, Adefolalu’s poem reflects both the natural beauty of the surroundings and the moral weight of the discussions held there. In his words: “Footfalls crunching on trails of sand, Echoes whisper, minds unwind. The sea stirs, what stirs these minds? Night falls, a shallow grave.”
“These lines evoke a sense of introspection, inspired by the “Burying Asilomar” rite—a symbolic act during the summit where attendees buried slips of paper containing their doubts and fears, marking a moment of renewal and shared responsibility,” the biochemist emphasised.
Adefolalu pursued his education at the University of Ilorin and later became a lecturer of Biochemistry at the Federal University of Lafia, Nasarawa, before moving to the United States.
He expressed that his poem emerged from “The need to translate the atmosphere of collective reflection into language that felt human and enduring.”
He emphasised that poetry serves as a vessel for the inner conversations surrounding scientific decisions that hold significant implications for society.
The Spirit of Asilomar summit brought together scientists, policymakers, and ethicists from various fields to assess how emerging technologies—such as synthetic biology, AI-driven genome design, and mirror-life systems—should be governed. Adefolalu’s artistic contribution provided a personal lens through which the call for responsibility and inclusiveness in global scientific endeavours could be viewed.
The refrain of his poem, “Heal, Not Harm,” resonates deeply. Adefolalu stated, “Asilomar reminds us that science and humanity are inseparable. It was a privilege to stand where those early pioneers once stood and to re-imagine what stewardship of discovery means today.”
The full poem has been published in the NGL Entreaty. “Tales from Asilomar: Science, Ethics and Other Blues” is available on https ://doi.org/10.25611/9TC4-QD56.
